Combined lipstick and powder case



Feb. 8, 1966 L. R. ENGLISH COMBINED LIPSTICKVANI) POWDER CASL:

Filed Feb. 11, 1963 iifaz exs,

United States Patent C) "ice 3,233,615 COMBINED LIPSTICK AND POWDER CASE Lillian R. English, 3128 Laclede Station Road, Maplewood, Mo. Filed Feb. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 257,451 Claims. (Cl. 132-83) This invention relates to a compact ornamental holder, or case, for cosmetics and more particularly to a lipstick case suitable in shape for this and other purposes with a smoothly streamlined contour, which, even though it has a smooth slippery surface, is inherently more easily and securely gripped and manipulated by the average user.

Admittedly, lipstick cases are made in many varied shapes. Also, it is common to provide a case with decorative finishes of one kind or another which have some degree of roughness and incidentally provides the user with a more secure grip than a shiny smooth surface which is attractive, but inherently slippery. None of these, so far as is known, have a smoothly streamlined contour so shaped as to provide a sure grip to facilitate manipula-.

tion.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tubular lipstick holder with a smoothly streamlined contour which can be securely gripped even if the surface finish is smooth and inherently slippery.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tubular lipstick holder with a smoothly streamlined contour which is easily gripped and in addition has useable storage space in excess of that needed to hold the lipstick.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a tubular lipstick holder, or case, with a smoothly streamlined contour which inherently is easily gripped and has excess capacity useable as storage space for face powder, or the like, an applicator for the face powder, and a hinged cover for the space suitable in contour to contain a small make-up mirror of appropriate shape.

This invention resides primarily in the contour provided for a tubular lipstick case, but as will be hereinafter apparent from the following description, this contour has been selected because of several distinct functional advantages and not primarily for its ornamental and distinctive appearance. According to this invention, the holder, or case, for the lipstick is tubular and oval, or elliptical, in cross sectional shape at each end, and tapers from each end to a nearly circular cross sectional shape between its ends. Preferably, one end is larger than the other, and the ends will be distinguished from one another by referring to them respectively as the large end and the small end. As herein illustrated, the taper from each end to the middle is not a straight taper, but curved so as to impart an appearance in profile similar to that of a french heel on a womans shoe.

The small end of this case is closed by a cap having a slip fit in the end of the case and an outer surface forming a continuation complementary to the end of the case to carry out the streamlines uninterrupted to the end of the cap. The lipstick is retractable and extendable in a tube fitted into the cap upon relative rotation of. the cap and tube. Because neither the cap nor the case are round, relative rotation is limited. Consequently, the lipstick in the refill, when once retracted within its tube, will stay so when returned into the case. In addition, since the cap is tapered, it is easily gripped and removed by a straight pull. However, the oval shape of the case and cap is one easily gripped to resist rotation in the fingers, thus, permitting a slight twist to be imparted to free the cap if it should bind and resist direct outward pull. A cylindrical tube with a closed end adjacent the large end of the case has a press fit in the small diameter of the case to form a compartment for the lipstick refill held in the can.

3,233,615 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 On the large end is a hinged cover formed by a mirror held in a hinged frame. Because the tubular case is oval rather than round, there is opportunity afforded for a hinge of adaquate length to provide a strong construction. The hinged cover encloses a chamber formed between the cover and a removable perforated disk or screen of oval shape to accommodate a powder puff, or the like. On the opposite side of the disk is a storage space, which is quite deep because of the oval shape, and has a capacity to hold an adequate supply of face powder.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will appear from'the detailed description which is in such clear, concise and exact terms as will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the same when taken with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the holder, or case;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the same structure;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the same structure;

FIG. 4 is a side view in section of the holder with a lipstick refill in place;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows:

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 5 through the upper end of the holder before the cover is applied;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the cap and lipstick refill; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view in perspective of the parts without a lipstick refill.

In the following detailed description, the dimensions given are exemplary to illustrate the proportionate size of the parts.

The body of the holder 1 is tubular and approximately 2 /2 inches long. The exterior surface of holder 1 has a smoothly curved streamlined contour from a large oval end 2 to a circular intermediate portion 3 of smaller size than either end, to a smaller oval section 4 at its opposite end. The larger oval end 2 can have a major axis of approximately l% inches and a minor axis of about 1 inch. The intermediate section at 3 is circular and has a diameter of about of an inch. Smaller oval end 4 has a major axis of about 1 inch and a minor axis of about inch. These dimensions will give a very convenient size holder for the purpose.

The lipstick compartment is formed in the holder 1 by a flanged tube 6 having a closed end 7. Tube 6 is circular and has an outside diameter adapted to be received in spaced relation within the circuit intermediate section 3 of the holder 1. Around the outer edge of the open end of the tube 6 is an oval flange 8. The periphery of the oval flange 8 wedges against the inside wall of the tubular holder 1 at the oval end 4, but spaced inwardly thereof sufficient to accommodate the oval cap 10. Flange 8 is preferably secured at its periphery to the inside walls of holder 1. The periphery of the cap 10 has a tapered wall 11 complementary in shape with the oval end 4 and forming a smooth continuation of the curved surface of the holder 1. On the inner side of the cap 10 .is a socket 12 to receive the lipstick refill 33 which can telescope within the socket 12 and be frictionally held tightly therein. A lip 13 on the inner face of the cap 10 has a telescopic fit with the inside surface of the smaller oval end 4. This lip 13 is complementary in shape to the inside surface of the tubular body so that only slight twisting would be permitted and the frictional fit between the outside of the socket 12 and the tube 6 holds the cap 10 securely in place. If desired, the external surface of the socket 12 can have ribs embossed therein for this particular purpose.

The larger oval end 2 of the tubular body 1 contains the perforated oval disk 15. This disk may be made of Q a wire screen material or from pressed metal, or the like, and have a finger piece 16 so that it can be lifted from between pairs of ribs 17 and 18 at opposite sides of holder 1 which removably retain disk in position. The perforated disk 15 is flexible enough so that it can be forced by the pair of ribs 17 into position or removed by a pull of finger piece 16 as shown in FIG. 6. The chamber above the disk 15 is for a powder puff. Below the disk 15 is a storage space for powder extending down to flange 8.

The larger oval end 2 is closed-by a cover 20 which has an oval frame 21 with a depending lip 22. In the frame is a mirror 23. Preferably, the face of the mirror inside the cover 20 is a plain mirror and the outer face of the mirror 23 is a magnifying mirror. The frame 21 is contoured to form a continuation of the outer streamlines of the tubular body 1'. Hinge parts 25 on frame 21 and 26 on tubular body 1 are interconnected by a hinge pin 27. Preferably, the hinge parts are located upon the substantially flat side of the oval frame and of the oval tubular end 2. Obviously, the shape provides for a substantial hinge. On the opposite side from the hinge is a tongue 30 by which the hinged cover 20 may be latched securely in place on the tubular body. The body may be provided with a rib 32 to cooperate with the tongue 30.

As has already been pointed out, the socket 12 provides a frictional holder for a lipstick refill which will be wholly contained within the compartment formed by the closed tube 6 which separates one compartment for lipstick from the other for powder within the holder 1. As shown in FIG. 4 the space between disk 15 and flange 8 is a storage space for powder. This space can be filled by opening cover 20 With or Without removing disk 15 since loose face powder will readily sift through the perforations of the disk 15 to fill the storage space provided around the tube 6. After filling, the powder puff is placed on the disk 15 and cover 20 closed. When it is desired to use the powder puff, the holder may be inverted so that the powder will sift down through the apertures in disk 15 onto the powder puff from the storage space. With the holder right side up cover 26 is opened to provide access to the powder puff retained in the chamber between the cover 20 and disk 15.

When it is desired to use the lipstick, the average user would hold the tubular body 1 in the left hand and withdraw the cap 10 by a straight pull on the tapered outer surface 11 with the fingers of the right hand. If there should be some slight sticking, or binding, between the parts, the oval shape of both the cap 10 and the tubular body 1 provide a good grip to apply a slight twist to the cap It} so as to free it, or withdraw it, from the tubular body. After the cap 10 has been removed, the lipstick is extended from the tube 33 by rotating the cap 11 relative to the tube 33, and is applied using the outside of the oval mirror 23 held in the left hand. Preferably, the outer mirror surface is a magnifying mirror so as to provide the proper reflection. The oval shape will give a full view of the lips. When the operation is complete, the cap 10 is rotated with respect to the refill tube 3.3 to retract the lipstick and it is then replaced within the holder. Because of the lip 13, the cap 10 is prevented from accidental rotation while in the holder 1.

When it is desired to apply the face powder, lid 20 is opened exposing the mirror 23 and the powder puff can be applied with the right hand while the holder is contained in the left, using the plain side of the mirror 23 when the cover 20 is open.

Changes in and modifications of the construction described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A combined lipstick and powder case comprising a tubular body having a hollow interior with open opposite ends, a cover closing one end of the body and a cap closing the other end, a hollow tubular partition within the body having an open end adjacent the cap end of the body and a closed end near the cover end of the body with side wall means therebetween, the side wall means being spaced from the body, an annular flange extend ing laterally from the side wall-means adjacent the open end of the tubular partition, the annular flange having an outer periphery in contact with the tubular body, said cover having hinge means for connecting the cover to the cover end of the body and being sized to close the cover end of the body, the body, the side wall means of the tubular partition, the closed end of the tubular partition, and the annular flange defining a powder-tight compartment for holding face powder, the said cap having a projecting annular lip for making friction contact with the inner wall of the body adjacent the cap end, and a lipstick refill cartridge connected to the cap in a position to project within the side wall means of the tubular partition when the cap covers the cap end of the body.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ends of the body are of oval section and the central portion of the body is of circular section of smaller size than either end, the outer side surface of the body tapering smoothly from the ends to the central portion, the cover and cap having sides forming smooth continuations of the body contour.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inner wall of the body adjacent the cap end and the projecting annular lip of the cap are of complementary oval section, the lipstick cartridge comprising a tube connected to the cap so that rotation of the cap relative to the cartridge tube causes retraction and extension of lipstick.

4. The combination of claim 1 including a foraminous partition in the body between the cover endand the closed end of the tubular partition, the space between the cover and the foraminous partition providing a compartment for a powder puff.

5. The combination of claim Zincluding mirrors on the inner and outer sides of the cover, one of the mirrors being a magnifying mirror.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,461,501 7/1923 Slaiger 13282 2,466,783 4/1949 Sarff l3283 FOREIGN PATENTS 599,226 10/1925 France.

r RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINED LIPSTICK AND POWDER CASE COMPRISING A TUBULAR BODY HAVING A HOLLOW INTERIOR WITH OPEN OPPOSITE ENDS, A COVER CLOSING ONE END OF THE BODY AND A CAP CLOSING THE OTHER END, A HOLLOW TUBULAR PARTITION WITHIN THE BODY HAVING AN OPEN END ADJACENT THE CAP END OF THE BODY AND A CLOSED END NEAR THE COVER END OF THE BODY WITH SIDE WALL MEANS THEREBETWEEN, THE SIDE WALL MEANS BEING SPACED FROM THE BODY, AN ANNULAR FLANGE EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE SIDE WALL MEANS ADJACENT THE OPEN END OF THE TUBULAR PARTITION, THE ANNULAR FLANGE HAVING AN OUTER PERIPHERY IN CONTACT WITH THE TUBULAR BODY, SAID COVER HAVING HINGE MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE COVER TO THE COVER END OF THE BODY AND BEING SIZED TO CLOSE THE COVER END OF THE BODY, THE BODY, THE SIDE WALL MEANS OF THE TUBULAR PARTITION, THE CLOSED END OF THE TUBULAR PARTITION, AND THE ANNULAR FLANGE DEFINING A POWDER-TIGHT COMPARTMENT FOR HOLDING FACE POWDER, THE SAID CAP HAVING A PROJECTING ANNULAR LIP FOR MAKING FRICTION CONTACT WITH THE INNER WALL OF THE BODY ADJACENT THE CAP END, AND A LIPSTICK REFILL CATRIDGE CONNECTED TO THE CAP IN A POSITION TO PROJECT WITHIN THE SIDE WALL MEANS OF THE TUBULAR PARTITION WHEN THE CAP COVERS THE CAP END OF THE BODY. 